"Pfft~"
"Hah..."
As Danzo barged in and made his bold proclamation, everyone in the Hokage's office—except Hiruzen Sarutobi—burst out laughing.
Take the battlefield in the Land of Rain within three months?
You must be dreaming!
Orochimaru let out a cold snort and didn't even bother to glance at Danzo.
He had always been a good judge of character.
He knew exactly what kind of person Danzo was.
Ambitious, yes. Desperate to succeed? Absolutely.
But...
He lacked both the strength and the courage to turn his ambitions into reality.
There was no doubt in Orochimaru's mind—Danzo was envious of Hatake Sakumo's fame and accomplishments.
It was clear: this time, Danzo had volunteered himself to go to the front lines.
He didn't take any of the enemies seriously.
How laughable.
Root held an enormous amount of intelligence on enemy shinobi, yet as its leader, Danzo hadn't truly absorbed or used that information.
He couldn't see the strength in others and always had excessive confidence in himself.
Shimura Danzo?
He was just a joke.
Did he really think Konoha today was still the same as it was under the First Hokage's unstoppable force or the Second Hokage's iron grip?
Danzo seemed to believe that even without the First and Second, even without the Senju clan, Konoha was still the foremost village in the shinobi world.
Based on what?
Why was it so hard to admit that the decline of the Senju was the decline of Konoha?
Why did the weak always refuse to see themselves clearly? Why was it so hard for them to admit their own inadequacies?
Orochimaru didn't understand.
He only knew one thing: when Danzo finally saw the harsh reality on the battlefield in the Land of Rain, he would use excuse after excuse to cover up his incompetence.
Only then could he justify his own existence.
Still, in an odd way...
Danzo's sudden entrance had helped ease the tense and awkward atmosphere left behind by Senju Yukika's relentless questioning of Hiruzen.
Clearing his throat, Hiruzen finally spoke up.
"As Hokage, I admit that I've done less than the First or Second, but over the years I have devoted myself entirely to the village. I believe I've made some small contributions."
"Just as Danzo said, I must remain in Konoha to ensure stability. But if the day ever comes where I must stand and protect this village, I will not hesitate to give my life—just like the First and Second Hokage."
Sacrifice his life?
This time, Yukika didn't respond with sharp words.
He believed him.
You could question Hiruzen Sarutobi's morals—how he was submissive to outsiders yet ruthless with his own people.
He was a paradox: someone who poured his heart into leading the village, yet acted with cruelty when the time suited him. A man who tried desperately to rule, but lacked the ability.
Wasn't that just messed up?
But in a true crisis, he would still stand and protect the village.
Just like in the upcoming Chunin Exams.
Still...
A sharp glint flashed in Yukika's eyes.
That didn't mean he had any fondness for the Third Hokage.
After arriving in this world, taking the name of Senju and becoming the clan leader, Yukika's fate was set—he was destined to be at odds with Konoha's leadership.
Whether he acted in the shadows or stepped into the light, his enemies would never stop coming. They would always find ways to make his life difficult.
This was an irreconcilable conflict, much like the Uchiha Clan's historic tension with the village.
And if they were enemies...
There was no need to show mercy.
That was Senju Yukika's doctrine.
Inside the Hokage's office,